Workhorse 7 wiring problem

[Biggen]

Ok. I am having some trouble getting my 2X55W PC square pen lamps to fire when wired to a Fulham Workhorse 7 ballast. Now, according to Fulham's website I am supposed to use this diagram for wiring the bulbs together:

However, I have done this and still cant get them to light. When I do turn the ballast on, the bulbs glow extremely dim almost like they arent getting the proper voltage to them. I tested the bulbs in known working fixture and they fired right up so I know the bulbs are ok. I am beginning to suspect a bad ballast but I wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts on this.

The endcaps I received where built for a PFO ballast since they had that crazy looking plug on the end of the cord. I cut the plug off to reveal 4 wires coming out of the endcap: blue, black, brown, and yellow/green.

On the ballast, there are 5 wires coming out: 4 reds and 1 yellow. According to the diagram, I am supposed to connect each pair of reds together to form one line. If I do this for both pair, then I come out with just two reds. Then it looks like each joined red pair now connects directly to the endcap of each bulb. However, I am not sure as to how many wires coming out of the endcap are supposed to connect to each red pair. I also don't know how many wires are supposed to connect to the yellow (common) wire coming out of the ballast.

Anyone have any experience wiring this ballast up?

 

[WarOrks15]

well could u be useing to small of wire? just a thought

 

[cj10488]

Biggen,

If no one helps ya out by tomorrow I wil give it a shot.. Right now My mind is a bit messed from going out on a friday night to make any good sense.. I have the workhorse 5 that i hooked up and I could help you.. I will try and send you a pm first thing in the morning when i am a bit more sober to help ya you.. I can even get pictures of how mine is hooked up..

James

 

[Biggen]

That would be great, James! I am pretty sure I have it wired wrong. Well at least I have it wired like the diagram indicates but I am pretty sure, for some reason, it is incorrect. If you could give me a description and a picture that would be excellent!!

I will try and send you a pm first thing in the morning when i am a bit more sober to help ya you.

My passion is Wild Turkey so I know how your feel...

 

[TheMadNucleus]

Just a suggestion while you wait for James's brain cells to cycle:

I am not familliar with the ballast you are using but many magnetic ballasts require a metal back plane (i.e. reflector) inorder to function correctly. If you are testing this without a metal strip that runs along the bulb a few inches from the bulb and the ballast is a magetic type - this may be your problem.

I noticed that the directions say "remote mounting distances varies with lamps, contact customer service." This may apply here but I'm not sure.

Just some thoughts.

Tom

 

[Biggen]

Ok, I got it fired up!! Had the wrong pair of wires coming out of the endcap connected to the ballast.

Thanks for the help guys. When I get it hung next week I will post some pics of the final setup.

 

[cj10488]

Awesome Glad you got it working.. Looks great..

My passion is Wild Turkey so I know how your feel...

Long Island Ice Tea is my passion... the place we went last night makes the Extremely strong... I can usually drink 4 but at that place 1 is plenty along with something else.. Last night was a nasty lemon drop.. there great when they are made right lol.. Its them Country Bars.. They will do it to you every time LOL

James